Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
  • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
  • G06F3/02—Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
  • G06F3/0202—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
  • G06F3/0205—Lever arrangements for operating keyboard cursor control keys in a joystick-like manner

Definitions

• the home computer is a general purpose device that serves different family members in different ways. Young children can learn shapes, colors, counting and other basic skills, and there is a plethora of computer applications and specially designed interfaces for this market segment.
• the severely physically handicapped can interact with the outside world via the computer.
• quadriplegics By depressing keys using a probe attached to the head, quadriplegics have managed to write poetry and type up their autobiographies.
• the standard QWERTY array has about 50 keys.
• Computer keyboards include the QWERTY keypad, an alphanumeric keypad, cursor control keys, editing keys such as INSERT, DELETE, ALT, TAB, navigational keys such as page up, page down, print screen and various function keys.
• computer keyboards have over a hundred keys. Such a large number of keys is distracting and confusing to both children and the handicapped.
• keyboards designed for children are known. Such keyboards tend to have a small number of large, easily depressed keys. They may be connected to the computer instead of to the standard keyboard, or may plug in to one or other of the peripheral ports, such as in place of the printer, for example. However, any keyboard that is connected and disconnected from a computer by plugging it into a computer port and removing it therefrom regularly, tends to have a short life expectancy. Pins get bent, particularly when a child takes the initiative to plug his / her keyboard in. Any peripheral designed for children will tend to be regarded as being a toy. Electronic equipment and children are not really compatible. Food and drink rukr keyboards. In short, special children's keyboards have had limited success.
• United States Patent Number US 5,348,405 entitled “Computer keyboard key depression inhibitor device” describes a key depression inhibitor device for a computer keyboard which is intended to prevent accidental or inadvertent manual depression of a certain key or combination of keys on a computer keyboard.
• the device has top, side and end walls which form a generally hollow cover adapted to fit over a single key or over certain combinations of keys in the "F" key section, the page control key section and / or the cursor control key section of a computer keyboard.
• the device is constructed to fit snugly over the key or combination of keys which it is intended to cover and to be readily removable therefrom, so that it can be installed and removed at will.
• WO 9400809 entitled “Keyboard Cover” describes a keyboard cover which allows the keys of a keyboard to be used.
• the cover includes portions which correspond to the faces of the keys. Inserts are attachable to the portions so as to cover markings on the faces of the keys.
• the inserts are adapted to include markings which are a substitute for the markings on the faces.
• the portions themselves may include markings which cover and are a substitute for the markings on the faces of the keys.
• Published US application number US2003/0206153A1 entitled "Keycap for displaying a plurality of indicia” relates to a key cap for use with the keyboard of a computer.
• the key cap has a support structure which is larger in size than the activation keys and is adapted to display indicia read by the individual.
• the keycap is used to display a plurality of indicia, such as Braille, pictures, etc., for use with a keyboard that interacts with an electronic device, such as a computer.
• the keycap includes at least one engagement member, for removably engaging with at least one activation key on a keyboard, and at least a first support structure for displaying the indicia.
• the first support structure is larger in at least one direction than the activation key and allows the keycap to display the indicia in a sufficiently large size to allow the keycap to display, for example, phrases, sentences, musical notation, mathematical expressions, etc.
• This feature allows the keycap to be compatible with a large number of software programs used to teach, for example, disabled individuals.
• the keycap preferably is used with a removable overlay containing the plurality of indicia that allows the keycap to be easily configured to the user's needs or the requirements of the software program.
• the keycap includes at least one attachment member to removably attach the overlay to the keycap.
• the attachment member preferably comprises two channels disposed on opposite ends of the first support structure and a second support structure which is adapted to slidably engage with the two channels to hold the overlay immobile between the first and second support structures.
• a compound key may be assigned to a response such as "yes", “enter”, or “cancel".
• a group of keys could be assigned to a particular alphanumeric character.
• the alphanumeric keys could in this way be grouped into a reduced number of larger alphanumeric compound keys.
• a separate group of keys e.g., the numeric keypad
• a representation of the keyboard illustrating the key groupings active at a particular time and the input corresponding to each grouping may be displayed on the computer's display screen.
• a template laid over the keyboard may be used to indicate the compound key groupings, particularly for applications in which the grouping does not change during the performance of a task.
• the interface protects the keyboard of the computer. It is yet a further aim, that the interface is a simple mechanical device that is rugged.
• the interface may be retrofitted to an existing keyboard.
• the present invention is directed to providing an interface for retrofitting to a computer keyboard, the interface having a plurality of jumbo buttons, each jumbo button for covering more than one key of the keyboard.
• the keyboard is a QWERTY keyboard.
• the plurality of jumbo buttons are brightly colored.
• the plurality of jumbo buttons is marked with easily recognized symbols.
• substantially vertical push levers are coupled to the jumbo buttons for registering keystrokes on the keys under the jumbo buttons by pushing or pulling the vertical push levers.
• Such substantially vertical push levers may be transparent and may be aligned in front of a display so that user activates said vertical push levers when responding to display.
• the interface is a cover that covers the keyboard, grouping at least a first plurality of keys into at least one jumbo button such that pressure on any of said plurality of keys has an equivalent effect.
• the cover prevents pressure from being applied to one or more keys of the keyboard, preventing the one or more keys from being depressed.
• keys not associated with the at least one jumbo button are disabled by a software program, such that pressure thereon is not registered by the computer.
• the present invention is directed to providing a program for programming a QWERTY keyboard such that the more than one key of the
• the software program defines a low sensitivity to key strokes, such that only conscious thumping of a jumbo button on the interface will register an input and only one single input is registered per thump.
• the present invention is directed to a system for converting a standard QWERTY keyboard into a large button simplified keyboard by providing a software program and an interface as described hereinabove.
• Fig. 1 is a schematic exploded isometric projection of the interface according ' to a first embodiment of the present invention fitted onto a standard computer keyboard;
• Fig. 3 is a plan view of the interface of Fig. 1 fitted to the keyboard;
• Fig. 4 is a. schematic exploded isometric projection of the interface according to a second embodiment of the present invention fitted onto a standard computer keyboard;
• the interface 10 has a plurality of jumbo buttons 14, 16, 18, 20 fitted onto a base 25 such that each jumbo button 14, 16, 18, 20 covers more than one key 22 of the QWERTY keyboard 12. It is a particular feature of the present invention is that a small number of jumbo buttons 14 (16, 18, 20), in this case merely four buttons, are provided in a simplified interface 10 that serves as a keyboard that is easily operated by infants or the disabled.
• the present invention teaches away from US 5,348,405 and Canadian Patent No. 2,194,317 to Fisher Price which describe multi-button covers, in that the multi- button thereof is a depression inhibitor, designed to prevent buttons from being pressed, whereas in contradistinction to the present invention as disclosed herein, keys on the computer keyboard are coupled together as jumbo buttons.
• the plurality of jumbo buttons 14 (16, 18, 20) may be brightly colored and may be marked with easily recognized symbols such as letters, numbers, shapes and icons.
• a base plate 42 of the interface 10 is provided. This may shield the other keys of keyboard 12 preventing their being accidentally depressed. Alternatively, these other keys may programmed (or deprogrammed), so as not to respond to depressions
• vertical push levers 115, 117, 119, 121, 123 are coupled to jumbo buttons 114, 116, 118, 120, 122 for registering keystrokes on the keys 22 under the jumbo buttons 122 (Fig. 5) by pushing or pulling the vertical push levers 123 (115, 117, 119, 121).
• vertical push levers 123 may be colored or shaped or decorated with pictures or otherwise marked, preferably, as shown in Fig.
• vertical push levers 123 are transparent and may be aligned in front of a display 130 so that a user can activate the vertical push levers 123 (115, 117, 119, 121) when responding to images on the display 130.
• the display 130 will typically be displayed on a monitor 132 coupled to the computer 40 to which the keyboard 12 is coupled.
• the base 10 (110) has a base plate 42 (142) that covers keys on keyboard 12, typically preventing them from being depressed.
• the jumbo buttons 14 (114) typically have a spring mechanism 44 (144) that facilitates their retraction to their raised position. Each jumbo button 14 (114) covers more than one key 22 on the keyboard 12.
• Keyboards 12 for computers are very similar but the different models do vary somewhat.
• An interface of the present invention will typically line up each jumbo button thereof with an array of keys therebeneath.
• a larger array of keys therebeneath are programmed to respond in the same way, so that all keys actually under the jumbo button may be depressed by depression on the jumbo button thereover, with other keys therearound being programmed to respond in the same way, but being protected from depression by the base plate of the interface thereover.
• the keys under the buttons may be programmed in response to a configuration procedure performed by the operator pushing on the jumbo buttons. For example, this may be achieved by a child depressing the buttons in accordance with instructions provided on the screen or via a speech synthesizer of the computer to which the keyboard is attached.
• the present invention also relates to a program for programming a QWERTY keyboard such that the more than one key 22 of the QWERTY keyboard 12 interfaced by a specific jumbo button 14 (114) of the interface 10 (110) are programmed in parallel so that any of the keys covered by the same jumbo button 14 (114) will provide an identical signal to the computer 40.
• the software program may define a low sensitivity to key strokes, such that only conscious thumping of a jumbo button 14 (114) on the interface will register an input and only one single input is registered per thump.
• buttons may vary considerably between embodiments.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
• Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Input From Keyboards Or The Like (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=39136369

Family Applications (1)

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Family Cites Families (3)

• 2007
  • 2007-08-29 WO PCT/IL2007/001069 patent/WO2008026211A2/en active Application Filing
  • 2007-08-29 JP JP2010522512A patent/JP2010538348A/ja active Pending
  • 2007-08-29 EP EP07805529A patent/EP2245521A2/de not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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